Stabile Heterocyclopentan-1,3-diyle

Heteroatom-Based Diradical(oid)s

Heteroatom-centered diradical(oid)s have been in the focus of molecular main group chemistry for nearly 30 years. During this time, the diradical concept has evolved and the focus has shifted to the rational design of diradical(oid)s for specific applications. This review article begins with some important theoretical considerations of the diradical and tetraradical concept. Based on these theoretical considerations, the design of diradical(oid)s in terms of ligand choice, steric, symmetry, electronic situation, element choice, and reactivity is highlighted with examples. In particular, heteroatom-centered diradical reactions are discussed and compared with closed-shell reactions such as pericyclic additions. The comparison between closed-shell reactivity, which proceeds in a concerted manner, and open-shell reactivity, which proceeds in a stepwise fashion, along with considerations of diradical(oid) design, provides a rational understanding of this interesting and unusual class of compounds. The application of diradical(oid)s, for example in small molecule activation or as molecular switches, is also highlighted. The final part of this review begins with application-related details of the spectroscopy of diradical(oid)s, followed by an update of the heteroatom-centered diradical(oid)s and tetraradical(oid)s published in the last 10 years since 2013.

Radical Reactivity of the Biradical [⋅P(μ-NTer)2 P⋅] and Isolation of a Persistent Phosphorus-Cantered Monoradical [⋅P(μ-NTer)2 P-Et]

The activation of C-Br bonds in various bromoalkanes by the biradical [⋅P(μ-NTer)2 P⋅] (1) (Ter=2,6-bis-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-phenyl) is reported, yielding trans-addition products of the type [Br-P(μ-NTer)2 P-R] (2), so-called 1,3-substituted cyclo-1,3-diphospha-2,4-diazanes. This addition reaction, which represents a new easy approach to asymmetrically substituted cyclo-1,3-diphospha-2,4-diazanes, was investigated mechanistically by different spectroscopic methods (NMR, EPR, IR, Raman); the results suggested a stepwise radical reaction mechanism, as evidenced by the in-situ detection of the phosphorus-centered monoradical [⋅P(μ-NTer)2 P-R].< To provide further evidence for the radical mechanism, [⋅P(μ-NTer)2 P-Et] (3Et⋅) was synthesized directly by reduction of the bromoethane addition product [Br-P(μ-NTer)2 P-Et] (2 a) with magnesium, resulting in the formation of the persistent phosphorus-centered monoradical [⋅P(μ-NTer)2 P-Et], which could be isolated and fully characterized, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Comparison of the EPR spectrum of the radical intermediate in the addition reaction with that of the synthesized new [⋅P(μ-NTer)2 P-Et] radical clearly proves the existence of radicals over the course of the reaction of biradical [⋅P(μ-NTer)2 P⋅] (1) with bromoethane. Extensive DFT and coupled cluster calculations corroborate the experimental data for a radical mechanism in the reaction of biradical [⋅P(μ-NTer)2 P⋅] with EtBr. In the field of hetero-cyclobutane-1,3-diyls, the demonstration of a stepwise radical reaction represents a new aspect and closes the gap between P-centered biradicals and P-centered monoradicals in terms of radical reactivity.

Azadiphosphaindane-1,3-diyls: A Class of Resonance-Stabilized Biradicals

Conversion of 1,2-bis(dichlorophosphino)benzene with sterically demanding primary amines led to the formation of 1,3-dichloro-2-aza-1,3-diphosphaindanes of the type C6 H4 (μ-PCl)2 N-R. Reduction yielded the corresponding 2-aza-1,3-diphosphaindane-1,3-diyls (1), which can be described as phosphorus-centered singlet biradical(oid)s. Their stability depends on the size of the substituent R: While derivatives with R=Dmp (2,6-dimethylphenyl) or Ter (2,6-dimesitylphenyl) underwent oligomerization, the derivative with very bulky R=tBu Bhp (2,6-bis(benzhydryl)-4-tert-butylphenyl) was stable with respect to oligomerization in its monomeric form. Oligomerization involved activation of the fused benzene ring by a second equivalent of the monomeric biradical and can be regarded as formal [2+2] (poly)addition reaction. Calculations indicate that the biradical character in 1 is comparable with literature-known P-centered biradicals. Ring-current calculations show aromaticity within the entire ring system of 1.

A Systematic Survey of the Reactivity of Chlorinated N2 P2 , NP3 and P4 Ring Systems

The reactivity of the four-membered NP3 ring system [RN(μ-PCl)2 PR] (R=Mes*=2,4,6-tri-tert-butylphenyl) towards Lewis acids, Lewis bases, and reducing agents was investigated. Comparisons with the literature-known, analogous cyclic compounds [ClP(μ-NR)]2 (R=Ter=2,6-dimesitylphenyl) and [ClP(μ-PR)]2 (R=Mes*) are drawn, to obtain a better systematic understanding of the reactivity of cyclic NP species. Apart from experimental results, DFT computations are discussed to further the insight into bonding and electronic structure of these compounds.

Trapping of transient, heavy pnictogen-centred biradicals

The heavy biradicals [E(μ-NTer)]₂ (E = Sb, Bi) were generated in situ and trapped by a formal [2 + 2] addition reaction with tolan (Ph–CC–Ph).

Group 15 biradicals: synthesis and reactivity of cyclobutane-1,3-diyl and cyclopentane-1,3-diyl analogues

Synthesis, structure and reactivity of cyclobutane-1,3-diyl and cyclopentane-1,3-diyl analogues are discussed along with their application as molecular switches or reagents to activate or trap small molecules with single or multiple bonds.

Zwitterionic and biradicaloid heteroatomic cyclopentane derivatives containing different group 15 elements

The formal cyclopentane-1,3-diyl derivatives [E1(μ-NTer)2({E2C} = NDmp)] (Ter = 2,6-dimesityl-phenyl, Dmp = 2,6-dimethylphenyl) were prepared by 1,1-insertion of CNDmp into the N-E2 bond of [E1(μ-NTer)2E2] (E1 = N, P; E2 = P, As). The insertion does not occur for E1 = E2 = As or E2 = Sb. Dependent on the choice of formal radical centres E, either a biradicaloid or a zwitterion was obtained. The biradicaloid features a P and an As radical center and its biradical character was established by computations as well as characteristic reactivity with respect to the formation of a housane derivative and the activation of molecules bearing multiple bonds, which was demonstrated using the example of PC t Bu. In contrast, the formally N,As- and N,P-centered biradicaloids are better regarded as zwitterionic species in accord with computations and diminished reactivity, as neither housane formation nor activation of multiple bonds could be observed.